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Thursday, August 25, 2016

2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

C.Davis/T.Lucas - The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association's 2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo was held last weekend, August 18-21. The weekend began with the opening of the beer gardens and team roping on Thursday evening. A kids Gymkhana was held Friday morning, and Friday was Tough Enough to Wear Pink day as the rodeo kicked into high gear. It was damp on Thursday but the skies cleared by Friday and the three main days of the event were held under bright blue sunny skies, perfect rodeo weather.

Flag girls

First of all, a tip of the hat to the Pincher Creek area cowgirls who worked hard every day of the rodeo, displaying sponsor flags and their superb horsemanship during the official opening ceremonies each day and at intermissions.

Sally Bishop

Intermission entertainment was provided by trick rider Sally Bishop, who wowed the crowds with her amazing four horse Roman Riding show. Bishop is a third generation rodeo and wild west performer, and is also a stuntwoman for film and television, performing in Suicide Squad, White House Down, Pompeii, Heartland, Flicka 2, and Once Upon a Time, to name a few.

4-H concession volunteers

The proceeds from the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo concession and cabaret were donated to support The Junction: Pincher Creek and Area Food Bank. The concession booths were staffed with Junction, Food 4 Thought, 4-H, and other volunteers, and did a brisk business all weekend.

Concession volunteers

Kyle Thomson (C.Davis file photo)

Lundbreck area Saddle Bronc cowboy Kyle Thomson announced his retirement from competition after one final ride Saturday in front of his home crowd. According the the CPRA, "The former CPRA board member and 11-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier captured four All Around titles and added a High Point title as well during a career that spanned seventeen years. Thomson is one of only a handful of Canadians to win the coveted Linderman Award (in 2012), the PRCA honour that goes to the top money earning cowboy competing in three events - at least one rough stock and at least one timed event."

Calf Scramble

The Windyview Mechanical Calf Scramble is a perennial favourite with the crowds, with many children competing to see who could capture the ribbons pinned to calves let loose in the arena, the winners taking home a brand new bicycle.

Other entertainments throughout the weekend included a pig roast dinner and the very popular Saturday evening cabaret, with music provided by Lethbridge cover band The Chevelles.

Spiderman

Sunday was Family Day, and appropriately began with Mutton Busting, another very popular event that features young children trying to hold on for 8 while riding rambunctious sheep. The Wild Ride featured several bronc riding cowboys dressed in costumes, including one very large chicken who erupted from the gate in an explosion of feathers and a guest appearance by Spiderman (Twin Butte's Call Marr).